Do You Really Need Pest Control in Winter?

While many insects and rodents become less active in the winter months, they aren’t gone—so neither is the need for professional pest control services. In fact, many pests try to make their way inside during the winter. Your house makes a great, warm hiding place!

Even when the snow is piling up, it’s still a good idea to secure your home and business against pests. Read on to learn more about common winter pests and how preventative measures in winter can protect you from pests year–round.

Is Pest Control Worth it in the Winter?

Pest control in the winter months is still a worthwhile investment, especially if you live in an area where the weather gets cold and snowy (like Utah). Winter pest problems can range from mild to severe.

Pests like rodents, for example, are eager to find warmth and food in the winter. Our homes, businesses, and structures are ideal spots for them, especially if they can make it inside. Unfortunately, if the infestation is bad enough, rodents cause property damage and spread illness. There are a few steps you can take to help eliminate pests from your home or business:

1. Store food items in plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids, including pantry items, stored goods, and even pet food.
2. Identify potential and existing entry points and seal them using high–quality, pest–proof materials.
3. Make sure all window screens are in place and intact.
4. As much as possible, reduce any food, water, or harborage areas around your home, mainly focusing on the 18” perimeter around your foundation.

It can be tempting to cancel your professional pest control services during winter, but science–backed pest control involves implementing year–round solutions. If you cancel your services in the wintertime, you could also miss out on the effective management of spring and summer pests! Even when pests seem to quiet down for winter, Thorn is working ahead to reduce their presence in warmer months.

What Pests are Active in the Winter?

From pesky rodents to creepy–crawly insects, winter often brings pest activity we'd rather avoid, especially inside. Excess moisture in the soil around your property can drive pests out of the landscape in search of warmer, drier places (like your living room or kitchen).

Ultimately, many pests would be happy to take up residence inside your home or business this winter, including:

• Rodents: Mice and rats are very sensitive to airflow. If they walk around the exterior of a structure on a cold day and feel warm, delicious–smelling air coming from gaps around the foundation, they'll try to find a way in.
• Ants: During winter, it's not uncommon for ants to hunker down in the soil outside. That is, until the soil floods with water from heavy rainfall or excessive snowmelt. Wet weather can force ants inside in large numbers. Luckily, this activity is likely to go down as the soil drains. In other cases, however, an ant colony may decide that the warmth of your home provides the perfect spot to overwinter, which can create ongoing problems.
• Spiders: Keeping spiders out of the home during winter can be a real struggle. You can do some things to keep spiders away, like reducing food sources. But recurring pest control outside the home should be a top priority for winter spider control.
• Pantry Pests: Pantry pests are a common problem in kitchens, big and small. Often originating from the grocery store, pantry pests can get into all kinds of dried goods and stored items, including flour, grains, and cereals. Once a pantry pest issue is well–established, it can be hard to pinpoint its source, especially if you have a large pantry storage area. A pest professional can help identify and resolve pantry pest issues.
• Wildlife: Many animals, including raccoons, bats, squirrels, and other wildlife, seek shelter and warmth during the winter. Wildlife removal is a specialized field within pest control. Not all pest companies handle wildlife, but here at Thorn, we do, adding another layer of pest protection for our customers.

What Time of Year is Best for Pest Control?

While late spring and early summer are definitely busy times for pest control businesses, pest control in fall or winter is still essential. Pest control in the winter helps keep pests outside where they belong while reducing the chances of future infestations once the warmer weather arrives.

Winter pest control can look different depending on the circumstances. Sometimes, it's working ahead of ant populations with wintertime dormant oil treatments. Other times, it's installing high–quality steel mesh to seal exclusion points. No matter the issue, Thorn is here to cross winter pests off your list of concerns.

Stay protected this winter from pest damage and disease. With Thorn 's science–based, commercial–grade pest control services, you can rest assured that your pest control needs are our top priority. Contact us today for solutions to all your pest problems!